Alton High School tradesmen build roof at Salu Park

ALTON — Enthusiastic construction trades students from Alton High attacked the deteriorated restroom roof at a city park Friday, ripping off old shingles they will replace.

“I like to do hands-on things,” said Tahj Womack, 17, sweeping up roofing materials as they flew off the roof of the building at James H. Killion Park at Salu, just south of Locust Avenue at Washington Avenue in Alton.

Womack said last year he took the construction trades class “and it was more bookwork,” learning interior skills such as electrical, plumbing and welding, so working outside is a treat. A senior, he said he may pursue a construction-related career.

Working alongside Womack was junior Jamal Crowder, 16, and senior Jordan Fuller, 18, who said they want to learn the skills for personal use when they have their own homes. “I wouldn’t want to do this for the rest of my life, but it can help me in life. It’s fun,” Crowder said.

Fuller said he does not want to be a roofer — possibly an electrician — but is unsure at this point. “Roofing is not exactly my thing, but if you ever have a leak or hole on your own roof, you can fix it” if taught the technique.

Replacing the restroom roof, with city-provided materials, is the first outdoor project for Bruce Deibert’s class.

“They were excited to do that and get work skills that are going to last them a lifetime,” Deibert said. “They can make a career out of it, or it can be for themselves as a homeowner. We’re getting great community support from the mayor and Mr. (Bob) Barnhart. The students are doing something for the community and they are learning skills.”

Barnhart is the Alton public works director. Soon after taking office, Mayor Brant Walker shifted responsibilities for park maintenance and improvements to the Public Works Department. He said it is important for a new roof to go on the building before the city can go to work on the rest of the project, the extent depending on funding availability.

That eventual work will include replacing the plumbing and fixtures in the restrooms, the latter to be Americans With Disabilities Act compliant. The entryways, including a ramp on the north side, also need alterations to make them comply with ADA requirements.

“It will open them up, particularly to elderly people and handicapped people,” Barnhart said of the restrooms. Now, park patrons must utilize a green plastic portable restroom.

Walker said once renovated, the restrooms only would be open during special events so as not to risk vandalism and theft.

In the meantime, the city continues working on the park grounds.

“In the next two weeks, we will have the basketball court lighting completed, and also the lights along the sidewalks in the park and the overlay on the new courts,” Barnhart said.

Deibert said Friday was the third day the class has been at the Salu restroom building, which has been closed for years because they fell into disrepair, were vandalized and copper pipe was stolen. People also would paint graffiti on the walls.

The roof project entails removing and replacing the old plywood, underlayment, shingles and vertical siding under the eaves. The shingles are of durable, architectural-quality asphalt.

“They should last, so these kids can show their work to their kids,” Walker said, surveying the young crew on the roof.

Republic Services is donating use of a large trash receptacle and dumping services.

“I am extremely happy at how hard they are working,” Deibert said. “Tearing off shingles and plywood is not the greatest job.”

Walker said he met AHS Principal Russ Tepen at a Salu Park event and Tepen told him of Deibert’s class after seeing the poor condition of the restroom building. “I couldn’t think of a better idea,” Walker said. “A couple of these guys live in this neighborhood so they are giving back” to their area.

Recently, members of the AHS Redbird football team cleaned the park.

Walker said ongoing efforts to fix up Alton parks, including Salu, Gordon F. Moore Community Park and Rock Spring Park and city infrastructure, “are quality of life issues” he has prioritized since being elected in 2013.

“I think it is your vision of the city, Alton has 19 parks with almost 1,700 acres,” he said. “The parks were not being promoted,” he said. Now they are “coming back.”